Reference note
At a glance
La Llorona is a ghostly mother associated with grief, lost children, and nighttime encounters near water. In a version recorded by the Texas State Historical Association, she kills her children after their father abandons her, then searches for them after her own death.
Reference note
Tradition & history
Texas tellings vary in appearance, motive, and danger. Some describe revenge against men; others emphasize warnings about nighttime wandering or betrayal. The Texas State Historical Association records unsettling versions with a blank or horselike face, illustrating how far the legend extends beyond one familiar image.
Reference note
Sources consulted
- John O. West, “La Llorona,” Handbook of Texas Online, Texas State Historical Association.